Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

This book is considered one of the classics and Hesse one of the more influential writers of his time. Although written in 1922 this book was not released in America until 1951.

Siddhartha is the title character living in the time of The Buddha. A seeker of spiritual enlightenment Siddhartha goes through several stages in his life. He leaves his privileged home to become a member of the Samanas, a wandering religious order who seek alms from fellow citizens for subsistence.

As he is in this group he and his companion Govinda hear of The Buddha, known as the enlightened one, who is gaining followers. Leaving their order they travel to where the Buddha is teaching. While his friend Govinda quickly becomes an acolyte Siddhartha does not,though he honors the Buddha, as he feels that one cannot find his own path simply by following the teachings of another.

After separating from his childhood friend who chooses to stay with the Buddha Siddhartha meets and becomes entranced by a courtesan. This leads to his becoming one with the world, those that he previously referred to as child like, seeking gratification through non spiritual means.

Eventually Siddhartha rejects this and travels again until he comes to a river and meets an ferryman who will change his life yet again.

My son is reading this book for his Senior English class so I pulled this off my too read list and made quick work of it. I cannot say it was a great book, it was however one to remember and while I cannot say I understood or agree with all of the spiritual message of the book there were parts that rang out. As a parent myself when Siddhartha longs to save his own son from making mistakes, to have him learn from the mistakes Siddhartha made and thus spare himself some pain and troubles, I as a parent can relate. When Siddhartha's mentor rebukes him and advises him that everyone must learn for themselves through their own experiences, is this not why Siddhartha himself rejected the Buddha's teachings, it is a lesson learned for both Siddhartha and today's modern parents.

In today's helicoptering parenting and desires to protect our kids from every decision which might lengthen their path to success Siddhartha has a strong and perhaps unpleasant message. It is interesting that here eighty years later that resonates so strongly.

Parenting by Siddhartha by Dr. Phil. Perhaps we will see that next. All in all an interesting book.